K.C. Colwell is Executive Editor at Car and Driver magazine with 87 recorded laps across 87 vehicles on LapMeta—perfect one-to-one ratio characteristic of professional automotive journalism systematic testing protocols. Colwell's automotive journalism career began when his grandmother gifted him a Car and Driver subscription for his 10th birthday. He joined Car and Driver as technical assistant in fall 2004, promoted to assistant technical editor in 2007, served as testing director from 2017-2022, then promoted to executive editor leading the brand to become one of America's top automotive magazines.
His LapMeta data shows all 87 laps concentrated at Grand West Course—Virginia International Raceway's configuration used for Car and Driver's annual Lightning Lap track test. Remarkably, K.C. set the production-car lap record at VIR for Lightning Lap and was just the sixth person to drive the Hendrick Motorsport Garage 56 Camaro—the NASCAR-based Le Mans prototype that competed at 24 Hours of Le Mans 2023. The 87-vehicle portfolio represents comprehensive automotive exposure spanning performance cars, supercars, and exotic machinery evaluated through standardized Lightning Lap testing methodology. His professional expertise combines technical knowledge with high-performance driving competency, conducting objective vehicle evaluations informing millions of readers. With 87 laps across 87 vehicles all at VIR Grand West Course, K.C. Colwell exemplifies the professional automotive journalist who sets lap records while systematically testing the industry's most significant performance vehicles.
We heard you! Here are all the hot laps from Lightning Lap 2022 from slowest to fastest without driver commentary. Use the chapter breaks to find the car you want to see.
Read the full story here: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a38955362/lightning-lap-2022/
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00:00:00 2022 Subaru BRZ Limited, 3:12.4
00:03:36 2022 VW Golf GTI Autobahn, 3:12.1
00:07:10 2022 Toyota GR86 Premium, 3:11.8
00:10:45 2021 Acura TLX Type S SH-AWD, 3:06.7
00:14:12 2022 Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance, 3:04.9
00:17:37 2022 Volkswagen Golf R, 3:04.3
00:21:03 2022 BMW M240i xDrive, 3:03.0
00:24:25 2022 BMW X4 M Competition, 3:02.9
00:27:50 2020 Audi RS Q8, 3:02.2
00:31:13 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition, 3:00.7
00:34:50 2021 BMW X5 M Competition, 3:00.5
00:38:08 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed, 2:56.2
00:41:25 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, 2:55.6
00:44:43 2022 BMW M3 Competition xDrive, 2:53.5
00:47:56 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Coupe, 2:52.6
00:51:12 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, 2:51.4
00:54:23 2022 BMW M5 CS, 2:50.3
00:57:32 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, 2:49.4
01:00:56 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S, 2:47.8
01:04:03 2022 Porsche 911 GT3, 2:40.6
01:07:05 2021 Mercedes AMG GT Black Series, 2:37.0